![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66c852c290ac6.jpg)
![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66b4f7ef79f6f.jpg)
![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66b4f7ee51568.jpg)
![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66b4faba1bb6d.jpg)
![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66b4f7ebb8b96.jpg)
![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66b4fac4b86e1.jpg)
![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66b4fabc66202.jpg)
![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66b4fabd207b7.jpg)
![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66b4facb94ee4.jpg)
![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66b4f7f335f3b.jpg)
![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66b5e5e6058e3.jpg)
![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66b5e5e539652.jpg)
![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66b4fab9a46e3.jpg)
![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66b5f25dea3b9.jpg)
![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66b5f3897506b.jpg)
![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66b4fb7150178.jpg)
![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66b5f4f58f98f.jpg)
![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66b5f57fd37a0.jpg)
![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66b5f793159bc.jpg)
![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66b5dca29583f.jpg)
![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66b4f7f024136.jpg)
![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66b5fad81013f.jpg)
![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66b4fabd0ee4e.jpg)
![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66b4fabcbb401.jpg)
![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66b5fc592ca5c.jpg)
![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66b5fa05a9845.jpg)
![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66b5f9e21cf8c.jpg)
![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66b5f4f580f7d.jpg)
![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66b5ff118f7e7.jpg)
![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66b5ff1112c74.jpg)
![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_66b60194d4433.jpg)
See Also
See Again
© Getty Images
0 / 31 Fotos
What is metabolic syndrome?
- Metabolic syndrome refers to suffering from at least three (from a list of five) conditions that together significantly increase your health risk.
© Shutterstock
1 / 31 Fotos
What is metabolic syndrome?
- The risk of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, and stroke, as well as other conditions including plaque build-up on the artery wall and organ damage, are increased if you develop metabolic syndrome.
© Shutterstock
2 / 31 Fotos
What is metabolic syndrome?
- Metabolic syndrome is also sometimes referred to as insulin resistance syndrome, dysmetabolic syndrome, or syndrome X.
© Shutterstock
3 / 31 Fotos
Symptoms of metabolic syndrome
- Many of the disorders that make up the five conditions of metabolic syndrome don't have obvious signs or symptoms, making it difficult to know if you have it.
© Shutterstock
4 / 31 Fotos
Symptoms of metabolic syndrome
- The symptoms of metabolic syndrome will also vary depending on which of the conditions you have. Let's take a look at the five conditions more closely and how they present.
© Shutterstock
5 / 31 Fotos
1. Waist circumference
- It's more common for people with apple-shaped bodies to have metabolic syndrome. Apple shapes carry more weight around their abdomen region.
© Shutterstock
6 / 31 Fotos
1. Waist circumference
- Apple-shaped people tend to have a wider waist circumference. Having a larger waistline is linked to an increased risk of heart disease compared to having extra weight in other parts of the body.
© Shutterstock
7 / 31 Fotos
1. Waist circumference
- In this regard, "central obesity" is dangerous. Generally, if your waist measures 94 cm (37 inches) or more and you're a man, or 80 cm (31 inches) and you're a woman, you probably need to lose some weight.
© Shutterstock
8 / 31 Fotos
2. High blood pressure
- Elevated blood pressure can damage your heart and blood vessels over time. It can also lead to a waxy substance known as plaque building up inside the arteries.
© Shutterstock
9 / 31 Fotos
2. High blood pressure
- Hypertension occurs when a person has a blood pressure higher than 140/90mmHg. This may be due to genetics, lifestyle, or other diseases.
© Shutterstock
10 / 31 Fotos
2. High blood pressure
- It's important to keep an eye on your blood pressure with an at-home monitor or regular check-ups with your healthcare provider, as many people have it without knowing.
© Shutterstock
11 / 31 Fotos
3. Blood sugar
- High blood sugar levels don't just raise your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, it also puts you at greater risk of suffering from blood clots.
© Shutterstock
12 / 31 Fotos
3. Blood sugar
- Blood clots cause blood vessel and heart diseases. To test your blood glucose level, you must fast. If your fasting blood glucose is of 100 mg/dL or greater, you have prediabetes.
© Shutterstock
13 / 31 Fotos
3. Blood sugar
- If you measure your fasting blood glucose level and it’s over 125 mg/dL, it's likely that you already have Type 2 diabetes.
© Shutterstock
14 / 31 Fotos
4. Low levels of "good" cholesterol
- Blood cholesterol levels have a significant bearing on heart health. HDL cholesterol, sometimes known as "good" cholesterol, is needed by the body.
© Shutterstock
15 / 31 Fotos
4. Low levels of "good" cholesterol
- "Good" HDL cholesterol can help remove "bad" LDL cholesterol from your blood vessels. This is one number you want to be high when measured, ideally above 60 mg/dL.
© Shutterstock
16 / 31 Fotos
4. Low levels of "good" cholesterol
- HDL cholesterol of less than 40 mg/dL in men or less than 50 mg/dL in women indicates low levels of good cholesterol in the blood.
© Shutterstock
17 / 31 Fotos
5. High blood triglycerides
- High triglycerides increase the risk of heart disease as they are a type of fat found in the blood which raises the level of LDL, or bad cholesterol, in the blood.
© Shutterstock
18 / 31 Fotos
5. High blood triglycerides
- Triglyceride levels that are 150 milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL) or greater are indicative of hypertriglyceridemia. This can lead to extra fat in the liver and puts you at a greater risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
© Shutterstock
19 / 31 Fotos
Causes: Insulin resistance and obesity
- When you have insulin resistance, your body no longer uses insulin effectively. This causes your pancreas to produce higher and higher levels of insulin, which can lead to weight gain around the middle and eventually Type 2 diabetes.
© Shutterstock
20 / 31 Fotos
Symptoms
- Many of these conditions are symptomless but you might be able to tell something is wrong if you suddenly need to urinate frequently (especially at night), have increased thirst, or blurred vision.
© Shutterstock
21 / 31 Fotos
Symptoms
- Other symptoms include developing darkened skin in your armpits or the back and sides of your neck (acanthosis nigricans) and experiencing fatigue. All listed symptoms are indicative of high blood sugar levels.
© Shutterstock
22 / 31 Fotos
Causes: Unhealthy lifestyle
- Leading a sedentary lifestyle, with a diet high in processed food that contains a lot of saturated fats and sugars, can lead to developing metabolic syndrome.
© Shutterstock
23 / 31 Fotos
Causes: Hormonal imbalance
- Hormones are also suspected to play a role. Women who suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) typically have issues with insulin resistance and hormone imbalances.
© Shutterstock
24 / 31 Fotos
Complications
- The complications of metabolic syndrome include stroke, kidney disease, peripheral artery disease, and hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).
© Shutterstock
25 / 31 Fotos
Complications
- If you develop diabetes as a result of metabolic syndrome, you might experience complications such as eye damage, nerve damage, kidney disease, or the amputation of limbs.
© Shutterstock
26 / 31 Fotos
Treatment: Lifestyle changes
- If you're diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, your doctor will more than likely recommend you make lifestyle changes, starting with your diet. Cooking at home, using whole foods, and following a Mediterranean diet could help.
© Shutterstock
27 / 31 Fotos
Treatment: Exercise
- Getting at least 30 minutes of exercise, of moderate to high intensity, most days of the week will help you to lose extra pounds and reverse the syndrome.
© Shutterstock
28 / 31 Fotos
Treatment: Medication
- Depending on the conditions you have, your doctor may also prescribe you certain medications. These might include cholesterol-reducing medication, blood thinners, blood pressure-reducing medication, or medication for insulin resistance.
© Shutterstock
29 / 31 Fotos
Prognosis
- Metabolic syndrome can be reversed with a commitment to changing your lifestyle. For those who do reverse the syndrome, however, you may still need to monitor your long-term risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Sources: (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) (Cleveland Clinic) (Web MD) (Healthline) (Better Health Channel)
© Shutterstock
30 / 31 Fotos
© Getty Images
0 / 31 Fotos
What is metabolic syndrome?
- Metabolic syndrome refers to suffering from at least three (from a list of five) conditions that together significantly increase your health risk.
© Shutterstock
1 / 31 Fotos
What is metabolic syndrome?
- The risk of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, and stroke, as well as other conditions including plaque build-up on the artery wall and organ damage, are increased if you develop metabolic syndrome.
© Shutterstock
2 / 31 Fotos
What is metabolic syndrome?
- Metabolic syndrome is also sometimes referred to as insulin resistance syndrome, dysmetabolic syndrome, or syndrome X.
© Shutterstock
3 / 31 Fotos
Symptoms of metabolic syndrome
- Many of the disorders that make up the five conditions of metabolic syndrome don't have obvious signs or symptoms, making it difficult to know if you have it.
© Shutterstock
4 / 31 Fotos
Symptoms of metabolic syndrome
- The symptoms of metabolic syndrome will also vary depending on which of the conditions you have. Let's take a look at the five conditions more closely and how they present.
© Shutterstock
5 / 31 Fotos
1. Waist circumference
- It's more common for people with apple-shaped bodies to have metabolic syndrome. Apple shapes carry more weight around their abdomen region.
© Shutterstock
6 / 31 Fotos
1. Waist circumference
- Apple-shaped people tend to have a wider waist circumference. Having a larger waistline is linked to an increased risk of heart disease compared to having extra weight in other parts of the body.
© Shutterstock
7 / 31 Fotos
1. Waist circumference
- In this regard, "central obesity" is dangerous. Generally, if your waist measures 94 cm (37 inches) or more and you're a man, or 80 cm (31 inches) and you're a woman, you probably need to lose some weight.
© Shutterstock
8 / 31 Fotos
2. High blood pressure
- Elevated blood pressure can damage your heart and blood vessels over time. It can also lead to a waxy substance known as plaque building up inside the arteries.
© Shutterstock
9 / 31 Fotos
2. High blood pressure
- Hypertension occurs when a person has a blood pressure higher than 140/90mmHg. This may be due to genetics, lifestyle, or other diseases.
© Shutterstock
10 / 31 Fotos
2. High blood pressure
- It's important to keep an eye on your blood pressure with an at-home monitor or regular check-ups with your healthcare provider, as many people have it without knowing.
© Shutterstock
11 / 31 Fotos
3. Blood sugar
- High blood sugar levels don't just raise your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, it also puts you at greater risk of suffering from blood clots.
© Shutterstock
12 / 31 Fotos
3. Blood sugar
- Blood clots cause blood vessel and heart diseases. To test your blood glucose level, you must fast. If your fasting blood glucose is of 100 mg/dL or greater, you have prediabetes.
© Shutterstock
13 / 31 Fotos
3. Blood sugar
- If you measure your fasting blood glucose level and it’s over 125 mg/dL, it's likely that you already have Type 2 diabetes.
© Shutterstock
14 / 31 Fotos
4. Low levels of "good" cholesterol
- Blood cholesterol levels have a significant bearing on heart health. HDL cholesterol, sometimes known as "good" cholesterol, is needed by the body.
© Shutterstock
15 / 31 Fotos
4. Low levels of "good" cholesterol
- "Good" HDL cholesterol can help remove "bad" LDL cholesterol from your blood vessels. This is one number you want to be high when measured, ideally above 60 mg/dL.
© Shutterstock
16 / 31 Fotos
4. Low levels of "good" cholesterol
- HDL cholesterol of less than 40 mg/dL in men or less than 50 mg/dL in women indicates low levels of good cholesterol in the blood.
© Shutterstock
17 / 31 Fotos
5. High blood triglycerides
- High triglycerides increase the risk of heart disease as they are a type of fat found in the blood which raises the level of LDL, or bad cholesterol, in the blood.
© Shutterstock
18 / 31 Fotos
5. High blood triglycerides
- Triglyceride levels that are 150 milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL) or greater are indicative of hypertriglyceridemia. This can lead to extra fat in the liver and puts you at a greater risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
© Shutterstock
19 / 31 Fotos
Causes: Insulin resistance and obesity
- When you have insulin resistance, your body no longer uses insulin effectively. This causes your pancreas to produce higher and higher levels of insulin, which can lead to weight gain around the middle and eventually Type 2 diabetes.
© Shutterstock
20 / 31 Fotos
Symptoms
- Many of these conditions are symptomless but you might be able to tell something is wrong if you suddenly need to urinate frequently (especially at night), have increased thirst, or blurred vision.
© Shutterstock
21 / 31 Fotos
Symptoms
- Other symptoms include developing darkened skin in your armpits or the back and sides of your neck (acanthosis nigricans) and experiencing fatigue. All listed symptoms are indicative of high blood sugar levels.
© Shutterstock
22 / 31 Fotos
Causes: Unhealthy lifestyle
- Leading a sedentary lifestyle, with a diet high in processed food that contains a lot of saturated fats and sugars, can lead to developing metabolic syndrome.
© Shutterstock
23 / 31 Fotos
Causes: Hormonal imbalance
- Hormones are also suspected to play a role. Women who suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) typically have issues with insulin resistance and hormone imbalances.
© Shutterstock
24 / 31 Fotos
Complications
- The complications of metabolic syndrome include stroke, kidney disease, peripheral artery disease, and hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).
© Shutterstock
25 / 31 Fotos
Complications
- If you develop diabetes as a result of metabolic syndrome, you might experience complications such as eye damage, nerve damage, kidney disease, or the amputation of limbs.
© Shutterstock
26 / 31 Fotos
Treatment: Lifestyle changes
- If you're diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, your doctor will more than likely recommend you make lifestyle changes, starting with your diet. Cooking at home, using whole foods, and following a Mediterranean diet could help.
© Shutterstock
27 / 31 Fotos
Treatment: Exercise
- Getting at least 30 minutes of exercise, of moderate to high intensity, most days of the week will help you to lose extra pounds and reverse the syndrome.
© Shutterstock
28 / 31 Fotos
Treatment: Medication
- Depending on the conditions you have, your doctor may also prescribe you certain medications. These might include cholesterol-reducing medication, blood thinners, blood pressure-reducing medication, or medication for insulin resistance.
© Shutterstock
29 / 31 Fotos
Prognosis
- Metabolic syndrome can be reversed with a commitment to changing your lifestyle. For those who do reverse the syndrome, however, you may still need to monitor your long-term risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Sources: (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) (Cleveland Clinic) (Web MD) (Healthline) (Better Health Channel)
© Shutterstock
30 / 31 Fotos
The risks of developing metabolic syndrome
Just because it's common, doesn't mean you should become complacent
© Getty Images
It's estimated that around one in every three adults have metabolic syndrome in the US. Although it only gained formal medical recognition in 1998, it's fast becoming one of the most prevalent health concerns of our age. What exactly is metabolic syndrome? It refers to a group of conditions that, when occur together, significantly raise the risk of serious health outcomes. Even though it's commonplace, there are many dangers associated with developing metabolic syndrome that you should be aware of.
Intrigued? Click on the gallery to learn what they are, how to recognize it, and what to do if you think you have it.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
![The effects of EMF exposure on human health](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66cf15e8ee8a7.jpg)
![Tight jaw: causes and tips to relieve tension](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66e08117534e8.jpg)
![Could food additives have something to do with the rise in bowel cancer?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d1a8a4c11f6.jpg)
![Bizarre ingredients found in beauty products](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66dadf1608316.jpg)
![What is sarcopenia, and how can you avoid it?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66e02105d37e3.jpg)
![Should we be worried about this brain-eating amoeba?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66daceb5c16a0.jpg)
![Pityriasis versicolor: what is this “beach fungus”?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66db300db525a.jpg)
![The most (and least) obese US states](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66cf5686a300e.jpg)
![Could eating meat give you a urinary tract infection?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d09b6cbecf0.jpg)
![Why do our stomachs growl?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66db1ae20ec0c.jpg)
![How does our environment affect our health?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66db04eccd6c7.jpg)
![Can you catch illnesses from your dog?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66db01f170000.jpg)
![Surprising foods you didn't know contain nicotine](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66dafcbae4d49.jpg)
![Can red meat cause type 2 diabetes?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d9c1da976cb.jpg)
![The true dangers of West Nile virus](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d99bcbae9d8.jpg)
![Does sleeping in during the weekend lower your health risks?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d5876a2092a.jpg)
![Ozempic diet? What you should (and shouldn't) eat on GLP-1 medication](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d85a717d263.jpg)
![Everything you need to know about multiple sclerosis](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d84c35eca80.jpg)
![Easy daily habits for a faster metabolism](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d8470494ed7.jpg)
![Can you reverse type 2 diabetes?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d8460d476cc.jpg)
![Eat these foods if you want to lower your blood pressure](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d83f5b288d9.jpg)
![These are the worst things you could do for your eyes](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d83dab62128.jpg)
![The warning signs of young onset dementia](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d82ede64f52.jpg)
![The ways holding in a sneeze can damage your body](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d8284b04272.jpg)
![Do women go through midlife crises?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d1bfab43d6b.jpg)
![Common overlooked signs of depression](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_668fd41f59792.jpg)
![Scary secrets your surgeon definitely won’t tell you](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_6683dd12553bf.jpg)
![These cancers are on the rise in younger generations](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d048e3bf50d.jpg)
![Hypochlorhydria: when your stomach can’t break down food](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d041bcb43a2.jpg)
![The history of the World Health Organization](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_5e6b374cf2e67.jpg)
![Triple E: Why is eastern equine encephalitis potentially so deadly?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66cf3d75c3f5a.jpg)
!["Sloth fever": How dangerous is the Oropouche virus?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_6669b3cdd53ba.jpg)
![What happens to your body if you only eat fruit?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66c857f4693d3.jpg)
![The risks of developing metabolic syndrome](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66c852c290ac6.jpg)
![Sensitive skin: causes, care, and when to seek help](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66c376117d4a4.jpg)
![Times the WHO declared a public health emergency](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66c32810ceeb6.jpg)
MOST READ
- Last Hour
- Last Day
- Last Week